Security Brief for Fiji prepared on: Jul 12, 2021 7:55:29 PM UTC Security Assessment Rating Security Rating for 2 - Low Fiji: Sub-Ratings 1 2 3 4 5 Crime 2 Overall Rating: Security Services 3 2 Civil Unrest 2 Low Terrorism 1 Kidnapping 1 Geopolitical 3 Security Overview : Overview of Fiji Conflict, terrorism and unrest do no pose a significant threat to foreign nationals in Fiji. Levels of criminal activity in the country are generally low but incidents of assault and burglary do occur and petty theft is relatively common. Popular tourist areas, including downtown Suva, are at increased risk from criminal activity. Related Advice: Increasing your personal security while traveling. Related Advice: Personal security while walking. No Current Security Alerts Other Alerts & Advisories Critical Alerts Entry/Exit: Fiji continues most restrictions amid high COVID-19 activity as of July 3. Tighter controls in and around Suva. Incident: COVID-19 restrictions Location(s): Nationwide (map) Time Frame: Indefinite Impact: Business and transport disruptions, increased security Summary Authorities have marginally reduced nationwide and localized controls despite elevated COVID-19 activity. As of July 3, the tightest restrictions are in place for the designated containment zone in Suva, Nausori, and Lami, where a curfew is in place 18:00-04:00; remaining Viti-Levu continues to enforce a 20:00-04:00 curfew. Transport remains limited in the area. Some nonessential businesses are allowed to reopen in the area if they apply for government approval and enforce social distancing measures. Gyms throughout the island of Viti Levu remain closed, and restaurants are only allowed to provide carryout services. Nationwide business and gathering controls are in place. A nationwide 23:00-04:00 curfew remains in effect for all areas except containment zones. Public venues must ensure social distancing limits. Employers must ensure that employees and customers wear appropriate protective equipment, including facemasks, check temperature checks before entry, and consistently enforce 2-meter (6.5-foot) distancing. Workers must also download the government's careFiji mobile application to attend work. Companies must also post a quick response (QR) code at the entrance of all facilities and require patrons to check-in. Employers must provide equipment and smartphones for employees, if necessary, and provide health authorities information on absentee workers. Officials could issue a fine of up to FJD 10,000 and/or five years imprisonment for people violating the measures. Officials continue to restrict travel between Viti Levu and other islands. The government allows residents from Vanua Levu and outlying islands to travel to Viti Levu for medical purposes or relocation with the Ministry of Transport's permission. Short-term travel between the islands remains banned. The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has suspended all nonessential outbound maritime passenger transport from Viti Levu. Inter-island cargo services continue; captains of vessels must register with MSAF and only offload cargo in designated areas. Cargo truck drivers may also continue to operate inter-island deliveries but must always remain in their vehicles while on Vanua Levu and outlying islands. After completing deliveries, drivers must return to a designated location to await return ferries. Travel Restrictions The government has suspended all international commercial flights though some charter flights for repatriation, emergency medical purposes may be authorized. Foreign nationals cannot enter Fiji unless they first receive explicit authorization from Fijian immigration officials. Authorities require permitted passengers to undergo a reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure. Arrivals from abroad must quarantine for 14 days, download the careFIJI app, and undergo COVID-19 testing after arrival and on day 12 of quarantine. The government also requires passengers who are not repatriating to pay for quarantine and health monitoring costs, with various exceptions. While charges for quarantine can vary, authorities indicate the average expense is FJD 2,200, and health-related expenses are FJD 690. The government has called on Fijian nationals to suspend outbound travel. Cruise ships remain banned from docking. Advice Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Reconsider and reconfirm nonemergency health appointments. Plan for queues and delays at available shopping centers. Alert begins: 07/03/2021 Informational Alerts Health: COVID-19 activity continues across several Western Pacific countries and territories as of June 24. Maintain basic health precautions. Incident: COVID-19 transmission Location(s): Western Pacific (map) Period: May-June 2021 Transmission: Respiratory (coughing, sneezing, speaking) Summary Several countries and territories continue to report COVID-19 transmission as of June 24. The following countries and territories have identified confirmed COVID-19 May 27-June 24. Countries are classified by risk of transmission according to the incidence rate over the past four weeks: Very high risk of transmission Malaysia High risk of transmission Fiji Philippines Cambodia Guam Moderate risk of transmission Japan French Polynesia Low risk of transmission Taiwan South Korea Papua New Guinea Singapore Brunei Darussalam Laos Australia Vietnam New Caledonia New Zealand Hong Kong SAR Samoa Macau SAR Solomon Islands Mainland China Background and Analysis COVID-19 is a viral respiratory disease caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Human-to-human transmission does occur, primarily through respiratory droplets from infected individuals or contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Symptoms occur 1-14 days following exposure (average of 3-7 days). These symptoms typically include fever, fatigue, and dry cough; less common symptoms include headache, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell, reddening of the eyes, skin rash, or discoloration of the fingers or toes. Symptoms may worsen to difficulty breathing, pneumonia, and organ failure - especially in those with underlying, chronic medical conditions. Some infected individuals display no symptoms. Multiple variants of COVID-19 have been identified globally, some of which spread more easily between people. COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed to frontline workers and the elderly in some countries, while other vaccines are in varying stages of development and clinical trials; more data is required to determine the efficacy of vaccines against COVID-19 variants. Older individuals and people of any age with chronic medical conditions or compromised immunity should consider postponing nonessential travel, including domestic travel, and take special precautions to avoid becoming ill, especially where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is ongoing. All individuals should monitor their health and limit interactions with others for 14 days after returning from travel. Advice Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions. Resources WHO coronavirus knowledge base WHO: Public health considerations while resuming international travel US CDC: Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces US CDC: Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak US CDC: Manage Anxiety and Stress New England Journal of Medicine: COVID-19 FAQs Alert begins: 06/25/2021 Security Intelligence SECURITY Armed Conflict: Armed Conflict - Fiji Fiji does not have any territorial disputes with its neighbors, although diplomatic tensions with Australia and New Zealand do occasionally flare up. Relations with Samoa are also strained due to Samoa's acceptance of Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific Islands Forum. However, interstate conflict is extremely unlikely. Civil Unrest: The threat of civil unrest in Fiji is low Protests occasionally occur in Suva and other major urban centers, typically in the vicinity of government offices and along thoroughfares, although the frequency is low. Triggers for previous unrest have included unpopular government policies, a perceived crackdown on opposition figures, socio-economic issues and environmental concerns. Recent demonstrations have generally been small-scale and peaceful. Industrial action over various labor-related grievances also occurs, although the frequency is even lower than that of demonstrations. Several stoppages have been staged by workers in the tourism and sugar industries. The relationship between Fiji's indigenous and Indo-Fijian communities can also trigger unrest. While it is unlikely that ethnic tensions will lead to protests or riots, the military may be deployed at times of heightened tensions. Contacts and Communication: Emergency numbers and embassy contacts in Fiji